Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting (Whitney Library of Design) [Hardcover]

Ina Brosseau Marx (Author), Llen Marx (Author), Robert Marx (Author)

Book Description

Series: Whitney Library of Design | Publication Date: June 1, 1991

The world’s leading experts reveal how to paint great finishes—and make money doing it!



• classic, now in paperback for the first time


• Basics plus step-by-steps for more than 55 techniques—glazing, marbling, graining, more


• Full information on running a furniture-restoration business



Booklist called the Marxes’ latest collaboration, Furniture Restoration, “a book to be pored over again and again.” Now their classic first book, Professional Painted Finishes, is available in a handy paperback edition. Drawn from the authors’ 30 years of experience in the field, these painted finishes simulate a wide variety of wood grains, stones, and marbles. More than 55 techniques are explained in depth, with hundreds of step-by-step color photographs and complete lists of the materials and tools needed. Everything that a professional or hobbyist needs is here, from basics, to specific techniques such as marbling, glazing, and graining, to an overview of business practices, including startup, preparing estimates and contracts, and getting the job done. A comprehensive decorative painting resource, ideal for professionals, aspiring professionals, and committed amateurs, Professional Painted Finishes packs the combined knowledge of three top experts into one indispensable reference.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One lovely feature of this volume is that it shows the real material that inspired different faux finishes next to the excellent painted imitations. After extensive coverage of all aspects of getting started (tools and materials, preparation, safety concerns, and design and color considerations), and of working with glazes, there are dozens of detailed recipes for various marble and graining effects. The final chapter, "Professional Practice," explains how to set up your own decorative-painting business, including assembling a portfolio, identifying and reaching your market, financial planning, calculating rates and expenses, preparing samples, organizing the workspace, and working with clients. You'll even find a prototype contract and a checklist of supplies to bring on the job. Those who want to produce spectacular faux-finish results will learn a lot from Professional Painted Finishes.

About the Author

Ina Brosseau Marx and Allen Marx are the founders of The Finishing School, which offers classes on creating painted finishes. During their thirty-year career as professional restorers, they brought new life to museum pieces from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Robert Marx, their son, is the executive director of The Finishing School. Ina and Allen Marx live in Princeton, NJ. Robert Marx lives on Long Island.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; First Edition edition (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823044181
• ISBN-13: 978-0823044184
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Painting & Wallpapering

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very throurogh, great high quailty painted finishes, April 30, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting (Whitney Library of Design) (Hardcover)

This is a wonderfully thorough book on creating the highest quality specialty painted finishes. It is advanced enough for the serious decorative painter while the instructions are detailed enough to allow the amateur or novice to try these techniques with outstanding results. The interior designer will also find it to be a valuable source book for fresh exciting design ideas.

Overall, the projects are more sophisticated and time-consuming than those in most books. A great deal attention is paid to tiniest details that make these finishes really stand out. The instructions are excellent, showing you how to create each finish step-by-step with a complete text description and demonstrative photos. Complete material and supply lists and recipes accompany each project.

The book starts out with the basics such as materials, safety, surface preparation and finishing coats. The glaze section is next with information on multi-layer glazing, novelty effects and techniques for glazing in small and large areas. There is great chart of problems and solutions and another on how tools affect glazing as well.

The simulation of marble and stone follows. Here the author talks about the formation and replication of stone before going on to the projects, which include fifteen marble and stone types such as malachite, granite, red levanto and French grand antique.

The section on graining is fantastic. It contains the most in-depth information on graining I have found anywhere. There is an analysis of patterns, a discussion of color, techniques for creating knots, troubleshooting section and color swatches of straight gained wood styles. There are over 20 wood types covered. Some include American oak, Brazilian rosewood, orientalwood, burl and birds-eye maple.

The final section of the book talks about setting up a professional practice. It contains financial planning, estimating, sample-making and much more. The appendix gives a great list of sources, lists English and metric equivalents and has a nice glossary of terms. If you want to create truly professional looking finishes, this is the book to get.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book - Knowledge of teaching & Painting -, December 9, 2001

By 

D. Markatos (New Canaan, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting (Whitney Library of Design) (Hardcover)

Great book for all levels.
Ina and Allan Marx run a great faux finishing school that has spawned this great book. Complete
and through it a bible for novice to expert painters. Not only do they teach you the technique, but alos
how to "look and see" the item you are painting from nature. They are true professionals and
above all both are excellent teachers. I have taken their classes, and as there is no substituion for
taking one of their classes, this book is a great how to guide if you can't take one.
Excellent. Their knowledge of teaching and superb knowledge of faux painting marry in this books.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST HAVE" for faux painters! Great for beginners & pros, March 22, 2000

By 

Jude Lobe (Mebane, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting (Whitney Library of Design) (Hardcover)

Excellent examples and how-to's for faux finishes. Even though it uses oils, the techniques for application can be used for water-based paints, but remember, oils give much more depth and translucency than water-based. I, now, use water-based paints in my business and still refer to this book. Book details TECHNIQUES step-by-step with beautiful color PICTURES, gives MATERIAL LISTS & PAINT COLORS. ALSO,includes chapter on building a professional BUSINESS. Another plus to this book, is it is one of the few that discusses the polishing and finishing of the work. Good price from Amazon also.